Executive Director

Bay School Community Arts Center; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation and sick leave

Extended sick leave

Employee discount

Longevity bonus

Job summary

The Bay School Community Arts Center in Mathews, Virginia seeks an Executive Director to serve as the day-to-day leader, guiding staff, volunteers, teaching artists, members, donors, and partners. The role emphasizes strategic and operational leadership, financial stewardship, artistic vitality, and community engagement.

We value a hands-on, relationship-focused leader with a passion for the arts, strong board collaboration, and capacity to grow programs and fundraising for a coastal community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree preferred or equivalent work experience.
• 2-5 years of leadership or management experience in a nonprofit/arts/cultural/community organization.
• Fluent computer-based skills – accounting/office software essential.
• Budget creation/management experience.
• Art background or appreciation/understanding.
• Experience working with a board/leadership team.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Bay School as day-to-day leader, working with the Board, staff, volunteers, teaching artists, members, donors, and the community.
• Provide strategic and operational leadership while ensuring financial responsibility and sustainability.
• Oversee programs, exhibitions, classes, camps, and events; drive fundraising and community engagement.
• Collaborate closely with partners, schools, and local organizations to expand impact.
• Help shape the organization’s future direction and growth.

Skills

Leadership/management

Budgeting

Art background

Board collaboration

Communication

Fundraising

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Accounting software

Office software

Job description

The Bay School Community Arts Center is seeking an enthusiastic, creative, and community-minded Executive Director to lead our nonprofit community arts center in Mathews, Virginia.

For more than 20 years, the Bay School has provided opportunities for people of all ages to experience, learn, create, and connect through the arts. Our center includes a gallery, art classes and workshops, summer art camps, community outreach programs, special events, and a pottery studio. We are proud of our strong partnerships with local organizations, schools, community groups, and residents throughout Mathews County.

This is an exciting opportunity to build on the Bay School's solid foundation and help shape its next chapter.

About the Position

The Executive Director serves as the day-to-day leader of the Bay School, working closely with the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, teaching artists, members, donors, community partners, students, and the community.

The Executive Director provides strategic and operational leadership while ensuring that the Bay School remains financially responsible, artistically vibrant, community-focused, and sustainable for the future.

Key Responsibilities:

See https://bayschoolarts.org/join-us for full details.

The Ideal Candidate

The Bay School is looking for a hands-on, relationship-oriented leader who is passionate about the arts and understands the importance of community.

Qualifications and Education Requirements:

• ·Bachelor’s Degree preferred or equivalent work experience.
• ·2-5 years of leadership or management experience, preferably in a non-profit, arts, cultural, educational, or community-based organization
• ·Fluent computer-based skills – accounting/office software essential
• ·Budget creation/management
• ·Art Background or Art Appreciation/understanding
• ·Previous experience working with a board/leadership team

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in one or more of the following is especially valuable:

• ·Experience with Social Media Management and Content Creation
• ·Grant Writing
• ·Strategic Planning
• ·Public Speaking
• ·Community Engagement
• ·Organizational Skills
• ·Experience working with teens and children of all ages.

What We Offer

This position provides an opportunity to become an integral part of a vibrant small-town community and to help guide a well-established community arts organization into its next chapter.

The Executive Director will have the opportunity to:

• Build upon a strong history of community involvement and support.
• Collaborate with artists, educators, volunteers, donors, students, and community leaders.
• Help shape the future direction of the Bay School.
• Expand the organization's programs and community impact.
• Work in the beautiful coastal community of Mathews, Virginia

Position:

Full-Time, Exempt

Benefits:

Vacation and sick leave, extended sick leave, employee discount, longevity bonus

Schedule:

Primarily weekday hours, with evenings and weekends required for exhibitions, classes, meetings, fundraising activities, and special events.